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  1. #1
    Elena Gerstmann's Avatar
    Elena Gerstmann Guest

    Default strange looking insulation

    Hello,
    I am about to buy a house. It is about 90 years old in New Jersey. I had it inspected but there was stuff in the attic at the time and the inspector couldn't see what I just saw when I stopped by. Part of the wall in the attic storage area is missing so I could see the floor (top of 2nd floor ceiling) and saw odd looking insulation. From my own search on line, I think it is Urea Formaldehyde Foam Insulation or UFFI Foam which would be okay because the dangerous fumes have all dissipated . My concern is maybe it is vermiculite with asbestos which is dangerous.
    I attached a picture. Any thoughts?

    Help would be greatly appreciated. My daughter wants to convert storage room into a playroom.

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  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
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    Southern Vancouver Island
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    Default Re: strange looking insulation

    The pic is poor but it does not look like vermiculite to me.
    Yes it could be UFFI.

    John Kogel, RHI, BC HI Lic #47455
    www.allsafehome.ca

  3. #3
    Join Date
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    Location
    Caledon, Ontario
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    Default Re: strange looking insulation

    If it is UFFI pieces will break off very easily and crumble into a powder when rubbed between your fingers.


  4. #4
    Join Date
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    Fletcher, NC
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    Default Re: strange looking insulation

    Looks like matted or wadded up fiberglass.

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2012
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    Western Maryland
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    131

    Default Re: strange looking insulation

    Not vermiculite.

    Mark Fisher
    Allegany Inspection Service - Cumberland MD 21502 - 301-722-2224
    Home Inspections, Mold Testing, Thermal Imaging

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    West Chester PA
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    166

    Default Re: strange looking insulation

    Not UFFI (I have it in my own home) unless it has been removed from a wall cavity and bulk loaded to the attic.

    Not Vermiculite....

    Most likely Rock Wool which is a common type throughout PA & NJ for the age of the home.......


  7. #7
    Join Date
    May 2012
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    Western Maryland
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    Default Re: strange looking insulation

    Quote Originally Posted by Joseph Hagarty View Post
    Not UFFI (I have it in my own home) unless it has been removed from a wall cavity and bulk loaded to the attic.

    Not Vermiculite....

    Most likely Rock Wool which is a common type throughout PA & NJ for the age of the home.......
    Doesn't look like any rockwool that I've come across (a lot). Looks like a big pile of foam over-spray from the pic. Either way, I think everyone agrees that it is not vermiculite.

    Mark Fisher
    Allegany Inspection Service - Cumberland MD 21502 - 301-722-2224
    Home Inspections, Mold Testing, Thermal Imaging

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Oregon, USA
    Posts
    333

    Default Re: strange looking insulation

    Doesn't look like any vermiculite or rock wool I've encountered over the years. If you have time, why not take a small sample for lab analysis to a certified testing lab somewhere? Worst case scenario would involve sealing it all off with a heavy layer of visquine before installing a permanent flooring in the daughter's play area.


  9. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
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    Southern Vancouver Island
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    Default Re: strange looking insulation

    Quote Originally Posted by Joseph Hagarty View Post
    Not UFFI (I have it in my own home) unless it has been removed from a wall cavity and bulk loaded to the attic.

    Not Vermiculite....

    Most likely Rock Wool which is a common type throughout PA & NJ for the age of the home.......
    All we have to go on is one poorly exposed picture. I know you have seen UFFI and RockwooI. I don't see how you can make that statement with any certainty whatsoever.

    Here is her picture and beside it a picture of UFFI in an attic. I don't need to post a pic of Rockwool, do I?

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    John Kogel, RHI, BC HI Lic #47455
    www.allsafehome.ca

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